Pompadour Cotinga

This cotinga showcases sexual dimorphism where the sexes take on different looks. The male has handsome burgundy feathers coloured by carotenoid pigments while the female is ashy grey.

The more attractive the male, the likelier he is to find a mate. The female appears dull coloured to be camouflaged during egg incubation.

The bird’s courtship display involves two to three males chasing each other in a ritualised way. The dominant male flies at and shoos the secondary male away from its perch, who in turn displaces the tertiary male. These chases feature exaggerated wingbeats that produce a frog-like sound and repeated flights between specific perches.

Both sexes produce a loud ‘purp’ call, like a distant dog’s bark. During their ritualised chase displays, the males’ slower and deliberate wingbeats give off a low-pitched rustling sound that resembles tree frogs croaking. These wing sonations are audible demonstrations of male virility.